Changes in factor VIII: coagulant activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration after subcutaneous injection of desmopressin in dogs with mild hemophilia A.

Four German Shepherd dogs with mild hemophilia A were given Desmopressin (Minirin intranasal solution, Ferring, Malmo, Sweden) subcutaneously at a range of doses in a controlled blind study. No substantial change in plasma FVIII activity was observed 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 6 hours after administration of Desmopressin. Plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations increased rapidly after doses of 0.4, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 micrograms/kg to mean values of 140%, 127%, 120%, and 140% of baseline, respectively. The duration of this increase was dependent on the dose of Desmopressin injected.